338 
THROUGH SOMALILAND AND ABYSSINIA 
the ground beneath. The mats may be thrown off when it is not 
raining, as in fine weather if there is no dew I prefer to have nothing 
to shut out the sky. This arrangement gives less trouble to the men, 
who may be tired after a long march, than pitching the tent ; and it is 
much easier to load up for the early morning march. By day, when 
marching fast, I halt for three hours about noon, without pitching the 
tent, if two good trees are to be found. 
When the tent is pitched the bed is arranged on the store-boxes, 
taking care that those which contain “expense stores” are not so used, 
as it is annoying if the cook is constantly disturbing the bedding to 
open boxes. Against one pole rests a jar of water, kept cool by the 
wind blowing upon the porous earthenware. This jar is carried on the 
camel in a framework of sticks. It can be bought in Berbera for half 
a rupee, and the butler may be rewarded with two rupees if it is brought 
back to the coast unbroken. The iron tent-pegs 1 should be handed to 
the same official, and, say, two annas given for every peg which finds 
its way back to the coast. The Somalis, though not naturally petty 
thieves, cannot resist iron tent-pegs ; they are easily secreted, and dis- 
posed of to jungle natives, who make spears with the iron. All cutlery 
if not looked after is apt to disappear in the same way. At the back of 
my tent I usually stood a large bucket of water and waterproof sheet, or 
an india-rubber bath. Table and chairs I seldom took. In case of meet- 
ing Europeans, a substitute for a dining-table and chairs can be arranged 
by the help of the store-boxes, draped with different-coloured blankets. 
The first thing after the tent has been pitched, two auss, or smooth 
grass camel-mats, are laid down as a substitute for floorcloth. To the 
right of the bed, on the ground, are laid small articles which may be 
required at a moment’s notice, including the favourite rifle and cartridge- 
belt. At night this rifle is kept loaded, with a strip of white paper 
gummed along the central rib from the back - sight to the muzzle. 
When a leopard jumps into the middle of the camp, or there is a 
“war-scare,” one or other of which incidents occurs on an average 
once a week in Somaliland, it is convenient not to have to waste 
valuable seconds in fumbling for these things in the dark. On the 
ground, to the left of the bed, are arranged haversacks, small camera, 
spare rifles, medicine-bag, instruments, a pair of saddle-bags, and other 
such articles ; and to the right of the pillow is placed one store-box, 
and on it a candle-lantern, matches, and the favourite book, which is 
an absolute necessity of camp -life. For the spare clothing, books, 
spare instruments, stationery, and other articles, I recommend strong tin 
uniform -cases, or steel trunks, instead of leather trunks, because they 
can be left out in the rain without damage. Leather trunks are soon 
pulled out of shape by the loading ropes, and are liable to be utterly 
ruined by white ants in a single night. The tin cases may be painted 
white with ship’s paint ; when painted black they absorb the sun’s rays 
and bake everything inside. Photograph plates and other perishable 
articles should be carefully packed to avoid damage from excessive heat, 
the sun’s rays being so powerful ; for instance, at noon in Guban a rifle 
barrel, if left lying exposed, soon becomes too hot to touch. 
The sporting battery which I should take were I now fitting out an 
expedition, would be — 
1 The stony nature of much of the country renders these necessary. 
